9. Chapter Nine
Chapter Nine
Victoria
I ’m not sure who’s dragging me, where they’re dragging me to or even how long the dragging is going to last. I can’t see a fucking thing because of this damn blindfold. My other senses should be heightened by my level of panic and anxiety is so high that my ears are pulsing in rhythm with my racing heartbeat. I’m literally being dragged so I can’t even count footsteps. We’ve gone up, down, under and I think around so many things we could be back where we started, and I wouldn’t know the difference.
I know Elijah said they have hundreds of acres, but I’m holding onto the hope that there’s a road, a river or something that will scream civilization. Shit, that reminds me of the threat Elijah spoke of. How they would be stalking us and how they’ll be able to easily track us down. Even if I’m able to outrun them and find the police, how in the hell do I explain this and not sound like a complete lunatic. The number of scenarios running through my anxiety ridden, panic inducing adrenaline filling brain is completely thought shattering.
Rough hands jerk me to a stop and force me to stand still. That rag, bag or whatever is suddenly being ripped off my head. My eyes being suddenly exposed to light causes my eyes to dilate. Blinking to help my eyes quickly adjust, I’m able to see there’s plenty of daylight left to the day. My body stays tense as someone is releasing the binding on my wrists. I’m waiting to see what’s happening next and my body must be ready for it too.
As soon as I can no longer feel his grubby hands on me, I turn around to see who was dragging me and before I could say anything he takes a step back. “Good luck. Let’s hope you can live up to the praise that’s already been given to you.”
Watching him take a few steps backwards, his rough, dark words keep echoing in my ears. Turning his back on me, he walks away leaving me alone in the forest. My gut tells me to follow him, but I have a feeling he’d lead me into a trap instead of a way back or even out of here.
Taking a deep breath, I let the crisp air fill my lungs. Looking around me there’s trees and foliage for as far as my eyes can see. Biting my lip, I turn in a not so graceful circle. I’m not seeing anything that gives a hint at the best route. I know I can survive this. What’s making me wary are the traps they said would be out here. With what they’ve already shown, I have to assume these traps are most likely deadly.
“They never said how long this test is supposed to last,” muttering to myself is the best way for me to think through everything that’s been said. Hoping for possible subliminal clues is a waste of time, because there aren’t any.
Priorities. I need to think this through quickly. I need shelter, water, food, and maybe some sort of weapon. Trying to think like these people is maddening, that damn near made me laugh. They are fucking mad and that forces me to think of the possibility of them sending someone out to hunt us down. Wildlife, shit. I’ve got to be able to hide away from the local wildlife too.
I keep muttering, “One thing at a time,” as I randomly pick a direction and start walking. Staying on guard, I’m not allowing my eyes to focus on anything. I don’t know anything about the damn traps, so it’s best to go slowly and be cautious from here on out. I’ve got to play it safe.
Keeping my steps as light as I possibly could, I think it’d be best if I can find somewhere to lay low. Comfort has nothing to do with this, it’s all about safety. Looking over some bushes up ahead of me, I see rock formations that have to stand over ten feet tall. The bushes at the base look to be dense and a perfect hiding place from humans and animals. Although in this case I’m not sure who possesses the bigger threat.
Muttering to myself gives me something familiar to listen to, although it does make me feel weird. “Branches. I need to find some good branches.” The miserly sticks at my feet are not the size I need. Moving to one of the lower trees, I see what I need. Bending down to pick up a few branches, my hair flops in my face. Growling, I use my hands to brush it out of my way and as I’m gathering it to put it in a sloppy bun, I freeze. I feel like I’m being watched, but glancing around my surroundings, I don’t see anyone or anything.
‘You’re paranoid Tori, fucking focus,’ refusing to let my mind wander I focus on my mission of breaking a handful of branches off trees and some clusters of bushes. Quickly moving back to the spot I found, I crawl into the bushes, breaking some of the inside branches off so there’s a bit more room for me. I’m basically making a human size nest.
I need to make sure I’m not only covered but protected from the outside. I can’t allow anyone to see me or get to me through the small openings. The broken branches and pieces of bushes will help fill in any holes. This isn’t perfect by any means, but it’ll hold up for what I’m needing.
Crawling inside my human nest, I begin to settle in when everything around me goes quiet. A high-pitched scream pierces the quiet causing me to slide out of my hidey-hole. Dusting the dirt off me, I have two choices; I can ignore it and slip my ass back in my spot and hide like I was originally planning, or I can begin walking in the direction the scream came from.
“ Fuck.” I muttered under my breath, starting to walk in the direction of the scream, I stop, turn around and walk back to my safe place. ‘Motherfucker, what am I doing? Help them or leave them? I can’t rescue myself, but I’m... well, fuck.’ What’s that damn saying, curiosity killed the cat? I’m not a pussy. Besides, my curiosity got the better of me and as I begin walking in the direction of the scream, another one pierces the quiet.
The second scream makes me jump, snapping my head side to side as well as spinning three hundred and sixty degrees to make sure I’m still safe. I don’t want to run into any of the obstacles or traps those crazy assholes have planted. The next scream is louder and more terrifying
“You motherfuckers! You are insane!! I hope you die!”
Registering the words I’m hearing; I’m going to take a wild guess and say someone got stuck in a trap of some kind. ‘ At least she is alive.’
I know that isn’t the best thing to think…but with this situation…they could have set a deadly trap. Which is where my brain went to when Elijah had talked about it. I made my way over to where I can still hear cursing. Whoever it was, isn’t screaming anymore but they are cussing with every curse word they knew.
As I walk round a big tree, I see a big hole in the ground and as I inch closer, I can see spears sticking out of the hole. Peering over the edge I can see one of the other girls, I want to say her name is Lynn, but I wasn’t paying close attention to the girls when their names were said. What’s causing her to scream and curse. Her dark black hair was a mess with twigs. The way she landed in the pit is lucky and unlucky. She wasn’t immediately killed, but she has one spear piercing an arm and another that’s piercing the inside of her left thigh. With the amount of blood I’m seeing, she isn’t going to last much longer.
“Hey you! Help me out!” Her hazel eyes are pleading, but her voice is pure rage and anger. Biting my lip as I glance down at her yet again it’s obvious to me that she isn’t going to survive. She’ll bleed out within the next hour or so. So, closing my eyes, taking a deep breath, I know what I have to do. This is about my survival. I'm not here to help anyone else.
“Hey! Can’t you see I need some help!”
Her screaming at me forces my eyes open and looking at her once more, I whisper, “I’m sorry.” Trying to push the feelings of guilt away. I don't know or have any connection to her or any of these girls. I can’t help them. If I want to be here at the end of this, I’ll have to stay on guard and only help myself.
“Don’t you dare, you fucking bitch!”
Her scream echoes around me and giving her one last glance, I will myself to walk away. I should have stayed in my hiding spot. Now I’ll live with and carry guilt of walking away when I could have helped her. I can’t afford taking the chance that she’d end up better and a threat at the next test they would give us.
I'm going to survive. I’m going to survive. I’m going to survive. That’s my new motto and if I have to do things that aren’t morally okay…then that is fine. I will make it out of here alive. My other concern is not knowing how much this will change me as a person.